A PREGNANT woman was charged with the murder of Cork toddler Santina Cawley (2).

Karen Harrington (35) appeared before Judge Mary Dorgan at Cork District Court charged with the murder of the toddler who died after being found with critical injuries in a Boreenmanna Road flats complex on July 5 last.

Det Garda Cormac Crotty gave the court details of the arrest, caution and charge.

The detective said Harrington was arrested at 7.56am today.

He said that when the charge was formally put to the defendant, she replied: "I do not understand why I am being charged - I did not murder no one."

Harrington of Elderwood Park, Boreenamanna Road, Cork remained silent throughout the brief hearing.